The Flowering Quince-Winter magic in the bonsai garden

The Flowering Quince (Chaenomeles) is rare among deciduous plants in that displays beautiful flowers in reds, pinks and whites during the dead of winter.  This is one reason it is a cherished addition to many bonsai gardens.   It is also fairly easy to train into many styles and is a spectacular specimen in the literati tradition. 

These plants are native to the orient (although most available now are cultivated) and are able to withstand frosts and a variety of other conditions which is why they are found in nearly every bonsai garden that has a flowering specie.  The flowers are delicate and clump on the branches.   Leaves are fine-toothed and the wood is quite malleable which makes wire training easy, even for the novice.  They bear a lime green fruit in the summer months that can be quite aromatic. 

They grow best in dry areas of subdued light.  Soil should mixed to encourage drainage as the flowering quince does like to be watered frequently.  They can be vigorous, bushy growers if the hard growth is removed during the spring.   Another benefit to this plant is its ability to readily propagate from cuttings and do well as a specimen that can be air layered. 

The flowering quince is a bonsai traditional and has many qualities that make it a favorite both for the enthusiast and the spectator.